He said he hoped the donation from the individual who wished to remain anonymous would spur other individuals and companies to make similar donations.

“The purchase of traffic calming devices such as this would otherwise be beyond the department’s ability to purchase,” Call said in a memo requesting the approval.

Call told the board he estimates the sign has reduced speeding on the road by at least 15 percent.

“It’s a pretty good piece of equipment,” he said. “I’m surprised how effective it’s been.”

Among its features, he said, is a flashing strobe which alerts drivers they are over the 25 mile per hour limit.

Call said the sign also has the ability to take pictures of speeding cars but that state statutes do not authorize municipalities to issue speeding tickets or red light or stop sign violations based on pictures taken automatically.

“We can send a letter saying ‘smile, we got you,’” he said.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said that means police could, however, publish a list of persistent violators.

Call responded with a smile, adding it should be noted that the idea first came “from that side of the table,” pointing to the three-person board.

The police chief said Roseville Road has been targeted almost daily for assignment of a police officer using radar to catch speeders and that an officer will be used in conjunction with the sign in the future.

He said the sign, which also can take pictures of anyone tampering with it, shuts down when violators reach a certain high speed. He explained that police did not want to encourage speeders to see what speed they can achieve.

He also said it has a timer which can be remotely programmed for its settings.

Asked where else such a sign might prove effective, Call said Compo Road South, Imperial Avenue, and Long Lots Road were places where they might have value.

Selectman Charles Haberstroh said such a sign would be welcome near his office on Riverside Avenue.

Call said that is a state roadway and permission would have to be obtained from the state Department of Transportation.

Thank you to the anonymous donor! I look forward to being able to safely get in and out of my driveway. Let Big Brother watch all he likes! If people did not speed and jeopardize other people’s safety we wouldn’t need this at all.